Gathering storm over Oshiomhole’s successor

French philosopher and thinker, Francois Marie Arouet may not have had Edo State in mind when he wrote in the book ‘Philosophical Dictionary’, that ‘‘the pleasure of governing must be certainly exquisite judging from the vast number who are eager to be concerned with it,’’ but the array of personalities jostling for the 2016 governorship election in the state compels one to believe that the state might have been his reference point.

Most certainly, the battle for Edo Government House would be between the ruling APC and opposition PDP. Already the stage is getting set for a tough battle as political gladiators across the divides have commenced underground moves to take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole, whose tenure would elapse in November 2016.

The subtle moves have resulted to alignment and re-alignment of politicians and party big wigs, who were hitherto in opposing camps, thereby justifying the belief in some quarters that politics is a game of interest masquerading as contest of principles.

Some analysts had earlier argued that the forthcoming Edo governorship poll would be an exclusive preserve of the APC, but the outcome of the March/April general elections has boosted the confidence of the opposition PDP in the state that prides itself as “Heartbeat of the Nation.”

The leadership of the state chapter of the PDP did not only deliver the state to its presidential candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan, the party won two of the three senatorial seats and five House of Representative seats, leaving the remaining three for the APC. The ruling party’s consolation was its majority seats in the state Assembly poll.

While the battle between the APC and the PDP is on one hand, another intriguing one is playing out in Edo South senatorial district, the most populated zone of the state, which almost everyone expects to provide the APC candidate for the 2016 battle.

Among the contenders and pretenders for the Edo number one seat at the moment are Oshiomhole’s deputy, Dr Pius Odubu; former Vice Chairman (South-South) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; a former Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi and the PDP governorship candidate in 2012, Maj. General Charles Arhiavbere (rtd).

Others are the immediate past Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen; former member representing Oredo federal constituency, Hon. Razaq Bello-Osagie; former Commissioner for Youth and Sports and current member representing Oredo West constituency in the state Assembly, Chris Okaeben and a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Charles Idahosa, as well as Osarodion  Ogie, a lawyer, and the current Commissioner for Works; and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome among others.

Odubu

The deputy governor hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state. Before his current position, he represented Orhionmwom/Unhunmwode federal constituency between 1999 and 2007.

He has been described as a loyal and dedicated party man, and he demonstrated his unwavering political influence when he delivered his federal constituency and the two state Assembly seats from his local government for his party in the general elections.

While he still remains the most popular aspirant at the moment for the state’s coveted seat as his acceptability cuts across the three senatorial districts in the state, it is not clear if his principal – Governor Oshiomhole is disposed to his ambition.

Ize-Iyamu

Ize-Iyamu was Chief of Staff to former Governor Lucky Igbinedion between 1999 and 2003 and Secretary to the State Government 2003 to 2007. He later defected to defunct ACN with his Grace Group and was made the campaign manager, Oshiomhole’s campaign organization.

He fell out with the governor when the latter refused to anoint him as his successor come 2016. This forced him to dump the APC along with his supporters for the PDP, where he intends to actualize his ambition.

Ogiewonyi

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC], Ogienwonyi was also a former Minister of State for Works in the Jonathan administration.

Ogiewonyi hails from Orhionmwon council of Edo South. He was formerly a member of the PDP before defecting to the APC in 2014, a move many said was aimed at positioning himself for the governorship position.

Imansuagbon

Imansuagbon was a founding member of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in the state but left for the PDP and thereafter made a U-turn and returned to the APC soon after President Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 elections.

Famously known as the “Rice Man,” the two time PDP governorship aspirant has since indicated interest to contest the gubernatorial ticket of the APC. His greatest undoing may be his inconsistency and the fact that the APC has zoned the governorship seat to Edo South. He hails from Edo Central.

Onolememen

The immediate past Minister of Works also hails from Edo Central and there are indications that the PDP may settle for him as its governorship flag bearer.

As minister, he was instrumental to the reconstruction of the Benin/Ofosun/Ore dual carriage way and the ongoing dualization of the Benin/Okene/Abuja road by the federal government.

His biggest obstacle should he eventually emerge as PDP standard bearer is the challenge posed by Edo South, which boasts of over 50 per cent of the voting population in the state. Edo Central where he comes from has about 29 per cent.

Okaeben

The former Commissioner for Youth and Sports made a political statement in the recent general elections when he contested and won the Oredo West state constituency seat on the APC platform.

Described as a man of the people, Okaeben is popular among the people at grassroots given his involvement in the various transformational programmes of the Oshiomhole-led administration.

He had at various times served as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Youth Employment; Secretary to the Local Government Council and Executive Director/Chairman Petroleum Monitoring Committee.

Arhiavbere

Maj. General Arhiavbere (rtd) contested the 2012 governorship poll on the PDP platform but was defeated by Governor Oshiomhole. However, he dumped the party recently for the APC.

Analysts believe that the move was the first step in his bid for the governorship position come 2016. But he cited the need for all stakeholders in the state to join hand with the governor to move the Edo State forward as reason for dumping his former party.

Idahosa

The journalist turned-politician is the only one who challenged Governor Oshiomhole in the governorship primaries of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN, now APC) in 2007.

After the emergence of Oshiomhole as the party’s flag bearer, he became the Political Adviser to the governor. It is said that he is banking on his experience and popularity among the people to actualize his ambition.

Ozekhome

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome is also said to be interested in the Edo top job though he is yet to publicly declare his intention.

No doubt, the top lawyer has what it takes to lead the state. Like Oshiomhole, who warmed his heart into the people right from his days as labour leader, Ozekhome is a rights activist, and also known for his work as a constitutional lawyer.

However, the biggest snag to his ambition is that he hails from Edo North as the incumbent governor. So, it would be difficult to convince the other two zones that power should remain in the same zone after Oshiomhole’s eight years.

Ogie

Osarodion  Ogie, a lawyer, is also the current Commissioner for Works. Many in the state believe that he has under-studied his master (Oshiomhole) and is capable of sustaining the laudable projects and programmes of the Comrade Governor.

It is also argued that Ogie is an unassuming and quintessential team player. Definitely, he is one man to watch out for as the race for Osadebe House, as the Edo Government House is known takes shape.

No doubt, the aspirants who have so far indicated interests to lead the nation’s “Heartbeat” after Oshiohmole can match each other strength for strength, but to most indigenes and residents of the state, personality and antecedent, not party structure or financial strength will determine who wins the election, as the incumbent has taken governance to a height that must not be lowered.

Ripples… without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now